Anyone have any first hand recommendations for a small espresso machine for the home? I got my wife a cheap one at Christmas as she’d been wanting to try making lattes at home. Not knowing if this was one of those short-lived interests or if she’d stick with it I didn’t want to spend too much. Turns out she’s been consistently using it. As a result I’d like to get her something better, this one is wonky at times.

Can one be had for ~$250 or so?

I know nothing of coffee beyond the basics so need a little help here.

Rancilio makes a great unit, but probably over your budget.

quote:

espresso machine

Good place to start.....

http://coffeegeek.com/


On amazon, search expresso machines, then set the dollar parameters to zero to $250, that will help you narrow down the choices by price

Espresso machines, along with coffee grinders, are among those things where “you get what you pay for.”

I don’t think you will find one that makes great espresso, and will be durable, for a modest investment.

Do some reading. Coffeegeek is a great place to start.

My wife has a Breville with built in grinder. She likes it and she’s a barista so know a little bit about them. But it’s also well over the $250 budget.

I wish we had the counter space for an espresso machine. Then again: Maybe just as well we don't.

Here's what I "know" from my past research into it. Said research consisting of spending time in coffee geek forums and talking with one of my best friends who was a true coffee geek. (Roasted his own. Had a couple high-end burr grinders. [You'll need one of those to brew espresso.] Had a commercial grade espresso machine.)

Bottom line: Cheap espresso machines aren't good. Good espresso machines aren't cheap. All espresso machines tend to be maintenance intensive and failure prone.

And that's why it's just as well we don't have the counter space

We have a Nespresso thing, it makes a decent cup to this heathen. I'm sure there is better, I'm not smart enough to tell a major difference.

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Bottom line: Cheap espresso machines aren't good. Good espresso machines aren't cheap. All espresso machines tend to be maintenance intensive and failure prone.

One of the truisms of coffee making. Espresso is the most complex of the coffee making arts and requires some serious investment if you're looking for both reliable and good.

You can check out any Bed, Bath & Beyond and there's a host of appliances however, everyone of them will likely degrade in performance or break-down within a year. Friend of mine is a big time coffee aficionado, he's likely invested at least $20k in various machines and contraptions over the past few decades. His basic, value, espresso recommendation is from Delonghi . He says it'll do the job and makes passable espresso but, nothing beyond good-enough. You'll need your own grinder and it claims 15-bars, however he believes that it degrades within 6-months.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: corsair,

I have a Breville. A little above your price point, but well worth saving up for. If I remember correctly, I think it was $400 on sale. I have seen them at or below your price point used. It is a basic machine (manual) with a steamer/froth maker. It is at about 10 years old or so. Never had any issues with it, still makes a great cup of espresso. Everyone I have made coffee for with it has really liked it except for my mom, go figure.

A lot of making espresso is in the grind, and I went through several grinders, settling on a Rancilio Rocky, which cost almost as much as the Breville. Start off with the coffee maker, upgrade grinder later.

Depending on which machine you go with, I'd recommend getting an extra filter or 2. When making espresso's for guests, having extra filters makes it go quicker. Also remember to clean/descale the maker periodically.

What Skins said-Nespresso.
Quick, painless and for the Heathens --> expresso at the push of a button.

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Originally posted by Skins2881:
We have a Nespresso thing, it makes a decent cup to this heathen. I'm sure there is better, I'm not smart enough to tell a major difference.

Me too. I have this Nespresso Pixie:

www.amazon.com/dp/B07SRDQBY2/r..._api_i_VkxVEbDG099AH

$179.94. It makes excellent espressos, very convenient, takes little counter space, and little cleaning is required. My first one lasted through 8 years of frequent use – now on my second.

You’re limited to Nespresso pods, but their coffees are excellent, with a broad selection of varieties. They’re delivered free (for orders of $35 or more), and come in 2 or 3 days. The pods are hermetically sealed aluminum, and keep the coffee fresh for at least a year.

The pods I buy are 70¢ each. Nespresso offers other machines that use fancier pods with cream and chocolate, but I have no interest in those.

All right, off the Coffee Geeks I go. Was really hoping this wasn’t going to turn in to an $800 ordeal...

I've had the Breville Barista Express (they reviewed that on Coffee Geek too) for about 3 years now. It's more than your initial budget, but certainly less than $800. The espresso purists might thumb their nose at this, but it really makes a good espresso.


My experience with it over the last 3 years has been overall pretty good. I did have to send it in under warranty once about 10 months after I got it, but it's been perfect since. It has a decent burr grinder, which is more important than one would think. This, coupled with freshly roasted beans from a local coffee roaster I can make better lattes at home than the local coffee shops.


Before I got it, I tried the machines that made espressos and lattes from pods and just didn't care for them. I struggled to justify the cost in my mind before I bought it (I'll admit it, I'm cheap ), but finally came to the conclusion that it would pay for itself over time, assuming I would have paid $5+/drink at the coffee shop.


ETA: I've heard good things about the Delonghi brand too - I'd say if you end up with something like that, you'll also need a good burr grinder.

Your wife has to determine if she wants espresso or "concentrated coffee". Many residential machines will barely make a coffee shop quality espresso, with the proper amount of "crema" layered on top. I have a Rancilio Silvia I bought 15-20 years ago, I used to make espresso all of the time, but as the years went by, I only make them semi-occasionally. On the Silvia, there is a learning curve to make the proper cup, it is almost a craft. And a quality grinder that is capable of producing a fine espresso grind is perhaps more important that the brewer itself.

If your wife is only interested in espresso, this machine has been getting some attention. Non electric, you need to use boiling water as the source. Very dependent on a quality grind of quality coffee. They sell them at Sweet Marias for about $300. Obviously does not have the capability to steam milk or cream.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVzjaWtOZ9k

I have a Nespresso capsule machine. My friend who is from Italy has a Gaggia espresso machine. Mine was maybe $200-250. His was about $450-500. Mine tastes a little like espresso. His IS espresso.

Wish I'd done the 'Buy once, cry once' thing and just bought a Gaggia

This message has been edited. Last edited by: italia,

I found out very quickly that a quality dual boiler espresso machine is like a Legion Sig pistol and a low cost espresso machine is something like a Century Zastava M88 pistol.

Both are pistols, but one is clearly a more refined machine for a lifetime of use.

You get what you pay for. Buyer beware.

What others have said--good espresso machines are expensive. I would suggest you educate your self before you make a purchase. Whole Latte Love is a great company and place to start. The have a ton of videos and their staff will take the time to answer your questions with no pressure to buy. A decent single boiler will start at about $500. Not being a snob but anything less and you are throwing your money away. A good cup of coffee or a good espresso is a thing of beauty. All the best.

I bought this one last December. It's seen quite a bit of use and it's been 100% reliable. Makes a great latte.

https://www.wholelattelove.com...tic-espresso-machine

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rebo,

ohhhh. the gaggia machine has a ristretto setting..... hmmmmmm......

sf making me spend what i don’t got.

Just looked at my order from 2018. I paid $179 for the Dedica. Great little machine along with the Ariete grinder. It's a little out of even my price range now. That's inflation for ya.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...pop_mob_b_asin_image